Where is the house located (as in which city)? Historical precedent and climate (as well as architectural style) can have an impact on color choice.

It's in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. In a historic district.

If it is in National Registry, you may need their approval on colors? Not sure what current practice is. Having said that, I think you should stick with the white base color, but perhaps add some trim in a dark blue or even black depending on your limitations. That would help "define" the windows and bring a little more interest. Then the front doors could get either a darker stain, nearly black, or the same color as a trim color but perhaps in a "glossy" finish. Kind of hard to see the front door. I would trim up the landscaping and freshen lawn and plant some seasonal flowers. Then add black traditional pots near front entrance to "mark" it and fill with either upright evergreens, topiary perhaps or overflow with ferns. Those are historically used methods.

One more thing, it was common to paint the ceilings of porches a sky blue color to keep bugs down and that would look really wonderful on the porches and be true to historical practices as well!

Thank you! I'll check with the HS for colors. I feel the white is a little blah but I guess with trims and accents it will look nice. If I didn't have to stick to white, what color would you suggest to make it look handsome but not stand out too much.

By porches do you mean the stoop or the balcony?

Both, assuming there are ceilings? I think the upper porch or balcony does. The little curved arbor over what I think is the front door, not so sure, but it would get the color as well. Believe me, this technique also works to keep mud dobbers away amazingly well. I'm in Houston, so I completely understand your humidity, and bug situation over there! You probably need to stay with the white, but you might be able to do a bit brighter blue trim. Like BM Van Deusen Blue HC-156 from their Historical collection or BM Newbury Blue HC 155, or even BM Hale Navy HC-154. All similar but just slightly different hues.

The doors are original and we'll stain them rather then paint. The wood is beautiful but needs some tlc.

Great that you are going to be the new "caretaker" of this wonderful home. That door will need some really good preparation, but a nice finish in a dark walnut will be lovely. Is this house a two unit place right now? I see two mail boxes and house numbers? I also see water damage on the stucco. I think you better investigate roof, gutters and water issues before you do any painting. Not unusual in this type home, but needs to be taken care of or new paint will just peel off.

You know what's amazing? This house is 3 units! Two on top with separate addresses and one below with the other street address. What's unique though is that it was built that way! I looked at Sandborn maps and it has 3 units going back to the 1930s! I guess it was the Great Depression and people wanted to make as much money as they could by renting.

oldhouseguy.com can help! His website contains valuable information on historic homes and architecture. He can help you with color and placement!

Sanborn maps are amazing!

I think a bit of color would show the details of the house better than pure white.

Ignore the color on the left side, I don't know why it looks yellow.

Ceiling for the upstairs porch.

So almost a year, I still haven't gotten the exterior painted. I have narrowed it down SW Alabaster/ BM white dove and a richer color. Had anyone done Alabaster on stucco exterior. Did it come out too white or was it creamy?